title: A rare case of rynopharyngeal melanoma.
abstract: Primary mucosal melanomas (MM) of the head and neck region constitute 0.5-2% of all malignant melanomas. The rynopharynx is a region that is less often involved by malignant melanomas. Because most of mucosal melanotic lesions are painless in their early stages, the diagnosis is unfortunately often delayed until symptoms resulting from ulceration, growth, and/or bleeding are noted. Here, we document the rare case of a malignant rynopharynx melanoma of a 43 year old woman. Its treatment and the pertinent literature are discussed. No complication was recorded in the post-operative period and no further surgery was performed. The follow up showed no recurrence in the same position and with the same characteristics, even after six years. Mucosal melanomas are aggressive tumours and the prognosis in these patients is poor. Clinicians must use treatment strategies that provide functional benefit, so as to maintain quality of life without excessive toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Galeazzi Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grecchi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Podrecca
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zollino
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Candotto
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubino
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carinci
keywords: Mucosal malignant melanoma; rynopharynx; surgical management